Union Agriculture Minister asks states to take steps for maximum rabi production

Jaipur, Oct 19, 2010

Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution today asked States to make efforts for achieving maximum production of rabi crops such as wheat, pulses and oilseeds.

While inaugurating National Conference of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food-Civil Supplies Ministers of various states at Jaipur, Shri Pawar said, "Monsoon this year has been good in the entire country, barring Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, and it will surely benefit the upcoming rabi crop. We will have to work with good planning to get maximum production.

He said that a proper and effective planning should be made to achieve targets of agricultural production.

It is also aiming substantial increase in pulses output to reduce import dependence. On the back of good monsoon, the country’s foodgrains production is estimated to rise to 114.63 million tonnes in the 2010-11 kharif season from 103.84 million tonnes in the same season of the last crop year.

While emphasising to encourage farmers to go for pulses crop, Agriculture Minister said, “to increase production level of pulses crop is a big challenge due to some certain reasons which included low price also, but it can be done if sowing area in middle and Eastern parts of the country is broaden. The Minister also said that the Centre has made some amendment in crop insurance scheme with an aim to benefit small and marginal farmers.

Minister of State for Agriculture Prof K. V. Thomas said the circumstances are in favour now to boost agricultural production following good rains this season. Agricultural Ministers of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and officials from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat took part in the two-day conference which began today to discuss rabi crop prospects and its preparedness.

Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, and DG, ICAR Dr. S Ayyappan made a presentation and explained the strategies for achieving target production of rabi crops such as wheat, pulses and oilseeds. He also highlighted the other issues like use of fertilizers, awareness among farmers about seed replacement, to minimize the loss due to terminal heat at the time of harvest, etc.

During this two day agriculture ministers' conference, the minister will discuss about fertilizers, rabi crop, electricity, improving the quality and quantity of agriculture and seeds.The availability of fertilizers, seeds, etc would also be reviewed at the two-day conference.